Domino's Large Pan Pizza: Missing In Action

Domino's Pizza is an American pizza chain with over 16,000 stores in more than 85 countries. The company offers a range of pizza sizes, including small, medium, large, and extra-large. However, one notable exception is that Domino's does not offer a large size for its pan pizzas. This has left some customers wondering why they cannot get a larger version of this particular style of pizza.

The reason for this seems to be a combination of efficiency and oven limitations. Domino's uses conveyor ovens, which are timed and designed for specific pizza sizes. While a large pan pizza would likely be a popular option, it would require a longer cooking time, which could slow down the cooking process for other pizzas and impact Domino's ability to deliver orders within their promised timeframe.

Large pan pizzas didn't sell well in the past

There could be several reasons why large pan pizzas didn't sell well. One possibility is that they were too expensive. Large pizzas are generally more expensive than medium pizzas, and if the large pan pizzas were priced higher than other large pizzas, customers may have been deterred from purchasing them. Additionally, large pan pizzas may have been seen as too much food for one person and not suitable for sharing, as they are typically ordered by individuals or couples who don't need as much food.

Another reason could be that large pan pizzas took longer to cook than other pizzas. Domino's uses conveyor ovens to cook their pizzas, and the cooking time is based on the size of the pizza. Large pan pizzas would require more time in the oven, which could slow down the cooking process and affect the efficiency of the kitchen. This could also impact the freshness of the pizza, as Domino's prides itself on delivering fresh, hot pizzas within 30 minutes.

Furthermore, large pan pizzas may have been seen as less of a value proposition compared to other options. Domino's often has deals and discounts on their pizzas, and large pan pizzas may have been excluded from these promotions or had a higher upcharge, making them less appealing to cost-conscious customers. Additionally, some customers may have found the large pan pizzas to be too heavy and filling, preferring lighter and easier snack options.

Lastly, large pan pizzas may not have been as popular as other pizza varieties offered by Domino's. The company has a wide range of pizza styles, including thin and crispy crust, Brooklyn-style crust, and stuffed crust, which may have been more appealing to customers than the large pan pizzas. By offering a variety of options, Domino's caters to different preferences and taste buds, and the large pan pizzas may have simply been outshined by the other choices available.

Large pans would require longer cooking times, impacting efficiency

Domino's is all about efficiency, getting that pizza to your door faster. The longer cooking time required for a large pan pizza would slow down this process. Domino's uses conveyor ovens that are timed, with one conveyor moving faster to cook smaller pizzas, and another moving slower to cook larger pizzas. The pan pizza already requires the slower conveyor, so a larger pizza would need even more time in the oven, slowing down the cooking process for all other pizzas.

The pan pizza dough also requires a long rise time, which is part of what gives it its characteristic thick, golden, crispy crust. The dough is left to rest for at least 12 hours, and up to 72 hours, before being transferred to a pan and left to rise for another 2 to 3 hours. This lengthy process is necessary to develop the dough's flavour and texture, but it also means that each pizza takes a significant amount of time to prepare, even before it goes in the oven.

A larger pizza would also require more dough, which would impact the cost of the pizza. The pan pizza is already more expensive than other styles, due to the longer cooking time and the greater weight of the pizza. A larger pizza would require an even greater amount of dough, driving up the cost even further.

In addition, a larger pizza would be difficult to handle and serve. The pan pizza is already quite thick and heavy, and a larger size would make it even more unwieldy. It would be difficult for staff to transfer the pizza to and from the oven, and it might not fit easily on the standard pizza trays or stands used for serving.

Finally, a larger pizza might be too much food for a single person, and could go to waste if not finished. The medium pan pizza is designed to feed two to four people, and is intended to be enjoyed as a group. A larger pizza might be too much for a small group to finish, and could end up being thrown away.

For these reasons, Domino's has opted to stick with the medium-sized pan pizza, which offers a balance between cooking time, cost, and portion size.

Domino's pan pizzas are already heavier than other pizzas

The weight of the pan pizza has implications for cooking time and efficiency. Domino's uses conveyor ovens that are timed, with two conveyors of the same oven operating at different speeds to cook small, medium, and large pizzas. The pan pizza requires the longer cooking conveyor, and a larger pizza would take even more time to bake.

The weight of the pan pizza also affects the cost. Due to the increased weight and ingredients used, the pan pizza is more expensive than a regular pizza, with an additional $2 up-charge per pizza. This makes it less appealing to customers looking for a deal, as the popular "2 for $6 each" deal becomes less of an offer with the up-charge.

The weight of the pan pizza also affects the number of servings. A medium-sized pan pizza can feed up to three people comfortably, while a large pizza of the same type could potentially serve four to five people.

In conclusion, Domino's pan pizzas are already heavier than their regular pizzas, impacting cooking time, cost, and the number of servings. The weight of the pan pizza is a significant factor in Domino's decision to offer only a medium size for this type of pizza.

Large pans are more expensive to make and sell

Domino's Handmade Pan Pizzas are made with fresh, never-frozen dough that is hand-pressed into a well-greased pan. This process requires more time and labour than a standard pizza, which contributes to the higher cost. Additionally, a pan pizza has twice the weight of a regular pizza, requiring more ingredients and increasing the overall cost.

The size and weight of large pans also present operational challenges for Domino's. Their conveyor ovens are timed, and most restaurants have two conveyors of the same length and speed. A large pan pizza would require a longer cooking time, reducing efficiency and increasing the time it takes to deliver the pizza to the customer.

Furthermore, large pans may not be as profitable for Domino's as other pizza sizes. While large pizzas are popular for parties and gatherings, Domino's has found that their large pan pizzas did not sell well in the past. This may be due to the higher cost of the pizza, as well as the longer cooking time required.

Overall, the higher production cost, selling price, and operational challenges associated with large pans make them less attractive to Domino's compared to other pizza sizes.

Medium-sized pizzas are better for sampling different flavours

Domino's offers a variety of pizzas, including the Handmade Pan Pizza, which is exclusive to medium size. This is likely because medium-sized pizzas are better for sampling different flavours.

A medium pizza is usually 12 inches in diameter and serves two people. A large pizza, on the other hand, is typically 14 inches and serves two to three people. If you're feeding a group with varied tastes, it's better to order multiple medium pizzas with different toppings than a single large pizza. That way, everyone can try a variety of flavours without committing to a single option.

Additionally, the math supports this approach. Two medium 12-inch pizzas provide more overall pizza than a single 14-inch large. The area of a medium pizza is 113 square inches, and when you have two of them, you get a total of 226 square inches of pizza. On the other hand, a large pizza only gives you 154 square inches of pizza.

Furthermore, a medium pizza typically has eight slices, and a large pizza also has eight slices, just slightly bigger. So, if you get two medium pizzas, you'll have 16 slices to offer a variety of flavours to your guests.

Therefore, if you want to sample different flavours and have more slices to share, medium-sized pizzas are the way to go.

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